The argument of this book is that marriage is an institution that more effectively delivers resources (broadly defined) to children than its alternatives. Thus, marriage has important consequences for children’s well-being. And that the emerging educational and class-divide in family structure is therefore a notable driver of economic and social inequality. Since the release of this book, a lot of the criticism I have seen of it comes from accusing it of being (or demanding that it to be) something that it is not meant to be.
First, it is not meant to be a work of moral philosophy or theology. To the extent that it necessarily draws on values, it deliberately limits itself to values that most people can agree upon. To accept her main arguments, you only need to accept one basic premise: it is better to have more resources than fewer. And most of the outcomes she looks at are commonly used to evaluate policies in the social sciences, such as income and educational attainment.
Dr. Kearney is a human and thus surely has her own opinions on the intrinsic or transcendent value of marriage as a moral and religious institution. But she is also keenly aware of the part of herself which provides the most value to the public discussion of marriage: she is a damn fine economist. Thus, she uses and draws on studies that use the analytical framework and tools that academic economists throughout the world use and accept. Relatedly, this is not a judgmental work that chides single mothers for their decisions. Rather, it is a work that is sympathetic and sharply draws attention to their difficult circumstances.
Second, it is not meant to be a comprehensive account of economic and social inequality in the United States. There are plenty of other books that try to be that. Rather, this book focuses on one key driver of inequality – family structure. It makes a compelling case that family structure in the United States has been changing in ways that are a key manifestation and cause of inequality. As a public-facing economist, Dr. Kearney has well-formulated opinions on other economic issues that she has expressed in other venues.
When this book is placed in proper perspective, readers can appreciate it for the wonderful achievement it is. It is a tightly-argued and intellectually humble work that makes a compelling case that family structure is something that all of us, in our respective public roles (policy-makers, opinion-makers, voters, and community members) should take very seriously when considering the well-being of children and the adults they eventually become.
A final note: Dr. Kearney has presented truncated and simplified versions of her argument in popular outlets such as the New York Times and the Atlantic. Obviously, she has the ability to be much more comprehensive and thorough in her arguments in the book-length treatment. If you think that her op-eds do not sufficiently address an obvious issue, I assure you that she is a careful and thorough scholar and urge you to read the book.
-John Soriano, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dallas
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Top reviews from other countries
TB
Brilliantly written, thoroughly convincing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2023David Maywald
An exceptional book with head and heart that deserves to be read widely
Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2024
David Maywald
Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2024
“The conventional mores in the United States today are to treat matters of family and family formation with a dedicated agnosticism, avoiding any suggestion that one type of family might be somehow preferable to another family type… children’s outcomes in life are profoundly shaped by their family and home experiences. Children who have the benefit of two parents in their home tend to have more highly resourced, enriching, stable childhoods, and they consequently do better in school and have fewer behavioral challenges. These children go on to complete more years of education, earn more in the workforce, and have a greater likelihood of being married… This family gap contributes to class gaps in childhood resources, experiences, and outcomes… It perpetuates divisions that are causing fragmentation and fractures in society.”
“This book necessarily puts a spotlight on the role of marriage between parents and the benefits that institution brings to children – not as a religious or cultural institution but as a practical and economic one that makes the challenging work of raising kids less impossible. Marriage is the most reliable institution for delivery a high level of resources and long-term stability to children.”
“In 2019, almost half of all babies in the US were born to unmarried mothers. This figure represents a dramatic increase since 1960, when only 5% of births were to unmarried mothers.”
“We are living in a vicious cycle: the forces that have eroded the economic position of non-college-educated men are now having widespread, multifaceted effects on families and how children are raised. These affected children are straddled with disadvantages that make it harder for them to flourish.”
“The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Family Assistance currently funds dozens of grants to fatherhood and family programs through state and local governments and community-based organizations. This federal office also maintains the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (available on the internet at www.fatherhood.gov) as a federally funded national resource for fathers, practitioners, programs, state governments, and others “interested in supporting strong fathers and families.””
Her policy recommendations are to:
- Work to restore and foster a norm of two-parent homes for children
- Work to improve the economic position of men without a college level of education so they are more reliable marriage partners and fathers
- Scale up government and community programs that show promise in strengthening families and improving outcomes for parents and children from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Have a stronger safety net for families, regardless of family structure
This is an exceptional, modern, comprehensive, and compelling book that deserves to be widely read…
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